Rovers back on track

Galea: late try sealed the points

Hull KR gave their season a welcome boost with an impressive 38-28 victory over Leeds Rhinos at New Craven Park.

Rovers had made their worst start to a Super League campaign for five years after six defeats from their opening eight games, but they looked a different side against the three-time former champions.

And the victory was all the sweeter for coming after a slow start which saw the visitors cruise into a 10-0 lead, as Rovers looked set for another dispiriting defeat.

Leeds went ahead after just four minutes as skipper Kevin Sinfield's superb long pass found Lee Smith on the right wing, who exchanged passes with Kallum Watkins before crashing over.

The next 10 minutes were marred by a series of errors from both sides, culminating in Scott Murrell kicking out on the full. Moments later Leeds were in again as Sinfield chipped into the corner and Watkins was able to catch unopposed and touch down.

Rovers were rocking but on 18 minutes a poor pass from Keith Senior gifted them their first attacking possession and they took immediate advantage, as Mick Vella powered his way over from 10 metres out.

Two minutes later Rovers had the lead after Ben Galea broke open the defence and Welham scored, with Murrell kicking his second conversion for 12-10.

Inspired

That seemed to inspire Hull KR and they crossed for two more tries before the break, Blake Green putting Matt Cook over by the posts before Murrell crossed following Ben Fisher's break. Two conversions gave Rovers a 24-10 interval lead.

They were quickly back into their stride on the resumption, Sam Latus this time busting through the cover and Liam Colbon scoring in the corner.

The Rhinos hit back as Brent Webb's clever pass put Ryan Hall over in the corner and Sinfield converted from the touchline, but Latus stretched the lead on the hour mark from Kris Welham's pass.

Still Leeds continued to battle and Paul McShane's try and Sinfield's conversion cut the deficit to 10 points with eight minutes left.

But Galea's score wrapped up the win and Watkins' sensational individual try from inside his own half was impressive but ultimately worthless.